The Path of Ejukayshun
by Jacob (Kouga) Nicholson · in General Discussion · 03/01/2007 (10:38 am) · 3 replies
That's a deliberate pun on "education" for you slower ones..
Hello all. 'Tis Kouga here, thought I'd see about getting some ideas, thoughts, and feedback from the vastly more experienced members here at GG. I'm a Junior in high school, either taking or have taken, classes in 3D modelling and animation [maya] web design [macromedia] music production [fruity loops, garage band] and currently C++ game programming.
In a little more than a year's time, I will be graduating. I've always wanted to be involved with video game design, but that's not really the core idea of it. What I want to do, and have my entire life, is simply storytelling in all of its mediums. This means film, as well as video games and literature. The problem I've come across is considering my path of schooling after high school.
I was considering the difficulties of crossing industry lines, such as going from jobs in film [using my knowledge and experience with modeling and animation to possibly work on an animated production] and then breaking into the video game industry [transferring that knowledge to a position similar to a character animator in a video game]. or, on the other hand, going to school for and learning the ways of video game design [adding my growing, albeit currently slight, knowledge of C++ to do some programming or coding, etc] and then break into the film industry through that same vein of animation or modeling. My eventual hope is to be able to be involved with both industries, and in multiple fields. I don't want to only ever be an animator for Pixar [assuming of course I'd be good enough for them, but let's be optimistic] and never be able to work for Ubisoft. On the other hand, I definitely do NOT want to be stuck in a programming position all my career. Besides that, I also wanted to get into more of the story aspects of both industries, directing films and writing story lines for games. Thankfully, writing is not something that directly requires a college education, and if I may say so myself I think I'm a half decent writer as it is.
So I guess what I'm trying to get around to asking is:
1) What do you think would be the best choice for a school, industry wise? Start with games, or film? Are there places that can offer both without a) doubling or tripling my workload or b) keeping me in school even longer, costing me more money that I already don't have.
2) Are there certain things to look for when thinking about colleges? If I were to pursue video games, I thought DigiPen up in Washington looked quite promising, where as the commercials for Westwood College make me shake my head and want to make my own commercials. Seriously, have you seen these tv spots? A disgrace.. Anyway. I don't want to end up at a school that isn't going to teach me what I need. I don't want to end up with a pointless degree and the industry people are gonna see it and say "Uh.. yeah, no."
3) Any other thoughts, questions, comments, etc?
I know I am rambling a bit, and I thank you all ahead of time for taking the time just to read this, and you have my deepest gratitude if you can offer any insight.
Hello all. 'Tis Kouga here, thought I'd see about getting some ideas, thoughts, and feedback from the vastly more experienced members here at GG. I'm a Junior in high school, either taking or have taken, classes in 3D modelling and animation [maya] web design [macromedia] music production [fruity loops, garage band] and currently C++ game programming.
In a little more than a year's time, I will be graduating. I've always wanted to be involved with video game design, but that's not really the core idea of it. What I want to do, and have my entire life, is simply storytelling in all of its mediums. This means film, as well as video games and literature. The problem I've come across is considering my path of schooling after high school.
I was considering the difficulties of crossing industry lines, such as going from jobs in film [using my knowledge and experience with modeling and animation to possibly work on an animated production] and then breaking into the video game industry [transferring that knowledge to a position similar to a character animator in a video game]. or, on the other hand, going to school for and learning the ways of video game design [adding my growing, albeit currently slight, knowledge of C++ to do some programming or coding, etc] and then break into the film industry through that same vein of animation or modeling. My eventual hope is to be able to be involved with both industries, and in multiple fields. I don't want to only ever be an animator for Pixar [assuming of course I'd be good enough for them, but let's be optimistic] and never be able to work for Ubisoft. On the other hand, I definitely do NOT want to be stuck in a programming position all my career. Besides that, I also wanted to get into more of the story aspects of both industries, directing films and writing story lines for games. Thankfully, writing is not something that directly requires a college education, and if I may say so myself I think I'm a half decent writer as it is.
So I guess what I'm trying to get around to asking is:
1) What do you think would be the best choice for a school, industry wise? Start with games, or film? Are there places that can offer both without a) doubling or tripling my workload or b) keeping me in school even longer, costing me more money that I already don't have.
2) Are there certain things to look for when thinking about colleges? If I were to pursue video games, I thought DigiPen up in Washington looked quite promising, where as the commercials for Westwood College make me shake my head and want to make my own commercials. Seriously, have you seen these tv spots? A disgrace.. Anyway. I don't want to end up at a school that isn't going to teach me what I need. I don't want to end up with a pointless degree and the industry people are gonna see it and say "Uh.. yeah, no."
3) Any other thoughts, questions, comments, etc?
I know I am rambling a bit, and I thank you all ahead of time for taking the time just to read this, and you have my deepest gratitude if you can offer any insight.
About the author
#2
but I think those Links might help a bit.
www.gamecareerguide.com has a lot of features referring education.
The Escapist has a feature about "do degrees matter?".
03/01/2007 (1:08 pm)
Well I can't tell you what the best ways are to get into the industry or what kind of education is best for you,but I think those Links might help a bit.
www.gamecareerguide.com has a lot of features referring education.
The Escapist has a feature about "do degrees matter?".
#3
As for the writing bit, that is a constantly evolving work of mine. I have a science fiction novel in progress that I have spent the last year and a half, two years building, plotting, revising, creating, etc. I have several friends, some of whom are good for advice, critique, and tough-love editing. Others are just good for a boost. I don't pretend to be the next Neil Gaiman [personal favorite] but I think, and have been told, that I have some potential there.
I will definitely be looking into the camera + mic option, and thank you very much for the suggestions dealing with shotgun booms and silent films.
So overall, thank you much. I hope that people that know of or have experienced DigiPen and FullSail peek in here, because I've heard many things about many colleges. I know that networking, the "who you know" aspect can be vital in such fields. I actually need to email this design director my dad worked with... anyway, so yes, I think I'm on a decent start, albeit a slow one ^^;
03/01/2007 (8:28 pm)
Thanks to both of you for your responses, and big kudos to Blake for your insightful post. As for the writing bit, that is a constantly evolving work of mine. I have a science fiction novel in progress that I have spent the last year and a half, two years building, plotting, revising, creating, etc. I have several friends, some of whom are good for advice, critique, and tough-love editing. Others are just good for a boost. I don't pretend to be the next Neil Gaiman [personal favorite] but I think, and have been told, that I have some potential there.
I will definitely be looking into the camera + mic option, and thank you very much for the suggestions dealing with shotgun booms and silent films.
So overall, thank you much. I hope that people that know of or have experienced DigiPen and FullSail peek in here, because I've heard many things about many colleges. I know that networking, the "who you know" aspect can be vital in such fields. I actually need to email this design director my dad worked with... anyway, so yes, I think I'm on a decent start, albeit a slow one ^^;
Associate David Montgomery-Blake
David MontgomeryBlake
1) It depends on your focus. Both will net you good skills. Smaller departments will offer you one-on-one access to professors and tools that you may not get in larger departments where you can be lost in the flood. On the other hand, larger departments also have larger social networks and in this industry, networking is key. But if you do not stand out in the department, you're not going to stand out to the network options. So it can be a Catch-22.
I would recommend, if you are interested in writing for film, to pick up a cheap camera now that allows external audio input. Get a shotgun boom and pole and a XLR to 1/8 inch adapter (or more realistically a XLR to 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter set). The sound quality will degrade through each adapter but not as much as using the on-camera mic.
Next, start writing and working with people. Write shorts. Lots of shorts. Start with two minute shorts and move to five. Concentrate on different aspects. Work completely without sound, creating pantomime silent movie stories to work to visually tell your story. That is of key importance. One of the best ways to tell a brilliantly directed opera from one that is badly directed (assuming you do not understand the language) is whether or not you know what is happening by the action on the stage. You do not have to understand the words or comprehend music to know intimately what is happening. Silent film and pantomime is the same. Then you can work dialogue. Dialogue is a mess because you have to take so many things into consideration. You have sound quality. You have to have actors that take your often lead-laden lines and make them not fall like lead from their mouths. When you get into the editing bay, dialogue will add yet another layer of horror to your soundscape. So start visually and layer it on.
2) Many classes in any program will seem to waste your time and others will be perfectly tuned to you. That's the nature of the educational beast and individuals going through it. The "video game schools" are often quite intensive programs that are very focused in similar ways to how art institutes or technical schools focus on a specific part of a specific industry. There are a number of different people here who have gone to places like Digipen and Fullsail, so I'll let them talk about their experiences.
3) I gave all kinds of them. Basically start learning by doing and continue it. Impress everyone you meet with your dedication. Work hard and know that you'll be working harder once you land a job.